Starting life as a seed, it grows in the muddy darkness
at the bottom of a pond. The darkness is like our ignorance - we can't
clearly see the truth about life. The seed grows toward the warmth
and light of the sun just as humans naturally grow toward the warmth
of love and compassion, and toward the light of truth. The mature
flower floats on the surface, bathing in the full light of the sun,
well 'anchored' but moving freely according to the flow of the water
- the changing current of any situation.

Flowers are beautiful
both in appearance and smell - they are pleasant to have around; we
like to have them in our home or the place where we work. The same
is true of people. Friends who are honest, kind, virtuous, wise and
generous are a pleasure to have around. What is most beautiful about
them is not so much their appearance, but their behaviour. A such,
flowers are a symbol of the Sangha,
the ordained community of monks and nuns. The simple, moral lifestyle
of the Sangha can be compared with the beautiful appearance and natural
simplicity of flowers.

Flowers are one of three things (Flowers, candles
and incense) offered at the shrine.
They may wilt and die but the joy and delight that comes from giving
- offering gifts generally or as a shrine offering - this is a beauty
that will last.

There is (some) indication in Buddhist cosmology
that the lotus was the first flower that
bloomed in the beginning of this cosmic world. Five holy
lotus flowers appear for the first time in this eon prophesying the
Enlightenment of five Buddhas in the human realm. The Maha Brahma,
Ghatika, created five sets of robes from these five lotus flowers
which he would offer to each of the five Buddhas. Four Buddhas have
already attained enlightened - Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa and
Gotama and one more Buddha remains to be enlightened in the near future
by the name of Metteyya Buddha. In Buddhist iconography and art the
four enlightened Buddhas are symbolized by lotus flowers in full bloom
whereas the future Buddha is symbolised by a bud.

The lotus is extensively used
in Buddhist art. Buddha images are usually
positioned on a lotus base. This is most commonly a double lotus with
petals facing up and down. Lesser saints are more commonly seen either
on a plain base or, at most, a single lotus. The yogic system of energy
centres - cakras - uses the image of a lotus with varying numbers
of petals to represent each one, with the crown cakra as the 'thousand
petalled lotus' - the blossoming of which is equivalent to enlightenment.
So, sometimes the bump on the Buddha's head is represented as a lotus.
The flame is an aspect of the same principle. Lotus flowers are especially
sacred as an offering and we can see two elephants making such an
offering to a stupa (as a symbol of the Buddha).  Various stupa elements
have evolved architecturally from the lotus shape - particularly around
the reliquary and more noticeable the apex, the jewel. [see details
here and: STUPA - PAGODA
generally.] The pattern of overlapping
lotus petals is often seen stylised either as a motif or as a border
- see the example below.